Time; that black and narrow isthmus between two eternities. There is a paradox in pride: it makes some men ridiculous, but prevents others from becoming so. If you want enemies, excel others; if you want friends, let others excel you. The two most precious things this side of the grave are our reputation and our life. But it is to be lamented that the most contemptible whisper may deprive us of the one, and the weakest weapon of the other. We own almost all our knowledge not to those who have agreed but to those who have differed. The profoundly wise do not declaim against superficial knowledge in others, as much as the profoundly ignorant. Power will intoxicate the best hearts, as wine the strongest heads. No man is wise enough, nor good enough to be trusted with unlimited power. Physical courage, which despises all danger, will make a man brave in one way; and moral courage, which despises all opinion, will make a man brave in another. Our very best friends have a tincture of jealousy even in their friendship; and when they hear us praised by others, will ascribe it to sinister and interested motives if they can. No man is wise enough, nor good enough, to be trusted with unlimited power. | 
